A Life Online

Camille Co runs a clothing brand, an online empire, and mentors the next generation of style bloggers.

- Sara Siguion-Reyna

When the idea first came around that writing style and beauty blogs could be a viable source of income, Filipinos were skeptical. In other parts of the world, there were people living “online lives,” mostly known for their infamy, but not necessarily their style nor business acumen.

When Camille Co started her online presence, it wasn’t with the intention to blog. Designer and owner of Coexist, she was merely looking for ways to advertise her brand on sites like Lookbook, a popular online fashion community. Then, her ideas started shifting. “I found myself wanting to share more of my style, passions, and stories, so I yearned for a space I can truly call my own,” she says. “There are no restrictions when I have total control over everything.”

The idea of a blog was born. The blog market then in the Philippines was ripe for the taking, yet also unstable at the same time. “Everything was so new,” she remembers. “I got into it not knowing what it would become.” Now, with thousands of hits on her blog, 347,000 followers on Instagram, and invitations from brands all over the world to represent and travel with them, she still can’t quite believe her stroke of luck. “I, for one, never thought blogs would evolve into what it is today. I didn't think it would give me all these opportunities, plus be a legit source of income.”